The two companies developed the sign technology for Highways England, the government road asset agency, with Costain delivering the roadside controller and Swarco delivering the signs. According to Costain, the next generation of signs is getting messages to road users more quickly which, in turn, improves road safety and the journey experience for travellers.
The new signs use high-resolution colour optical technology components that enable clearer messages and graphics to be displayed in all weather conditions.
Less material including cabling is used in the manufacturing process which means maintenance requirements are reduced as well as the time engineers spend on roadside duties.
The signs can also display live video images of congestion on the road ahead. This video information could be provided to road users in the future, according to Ian Parker, managing director for transportation at Costain.